Fans at just seven English Football League clubs were allowed to enter through the turnstiles this Saturday afternoon, but under certain guidelines with it being still a coronavirus pandemic.
The English Football League (EFL) picked nine matches over the course of the weekend to allow 1,000 fans in as part of the UK’s ‘return of fans’ pilot programme.
However some games originally listed to have supporters in their stands, were forced to pull out of the test event this weekend.
Hull City were unable to receive approval from Hull City Council for their League One game against Crewe, due to the rising infection rate of Covid-19 in the city over the last fortnight.
In a joint statement, Julia Weldon, director of Public Health at Hull City Council and Sam Henderson, head of stadium operations at Stadium Management Company said: “In order for the proposed ‘return of fans’ pilot match to go ahead at the Hull City vs Crewe Alexandra game at the KCOM Stadium this Saturday, it was necessary to meet 10 public event assessment criteria, established by the Association of Directors of Public Health.
“The first of these states that there can be no significant increase in the area’s coronavirus infection rate ahead of an event.
“Unfortunately, the rate in Hull currently stands at 15.3 infections per 100,000 people, up from 4.2 per 100,000 people last week.
“Consequently, on the grounds of public health and public safety, this pilot cannot go ahead and the game will have to be played without fans in attendance.”
Morecambe vs Cambridge was another listed, but that was also played behind closed doors. The Shrimps said “fan safety is of paramount importance” as they look to welcome supporters back to the Globe Arena Stadium at a later date.
EFL MATCHES WITH FANS ATTENDING
Championship
1,000 – Norwich City 2-2 Preston North End
1,000 – Middlesbrough 1-1 AFC Bournemouth
League One
1,000 – Charlton Athletic 1-3 Doncaster Rovers
1,000 – Blackpool 2-0 Swindon Town
1,000 – Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Northampton Town
League Two
1,000 – Forest Green Rovers 2-2 Bradford City
1,000 – Carlisle United 2-0 Southend United
? | The result on the pitch wasn’t what we hoped for today.
However, this is a sight we will never take for granted again.
Thank you to everyone that made this possible and a big thank you to the fans for your cooperation.
? See you soon! #SalopianFamily pic.twitter.com/TZSZGLCzlm
— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsweb) September 19, 2020
Fans back at football…
You love to see it! #cafc pic.twitter.com/0JennHWtxS
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) September 19, 2020
It was great to be there, really hope more can come soon ? pic.twitter.com/DyCIZiv0CF
— Jack Bennett (@jbennett1997) September 19, 2020
Take a look at the Step 7 (Northern, Southern, Central, Isthmian) attendances on the next page…
LEVEL 7 (Northern, Southern, Central, Isthmian)
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